Braves’ Beachy sharp in second start

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) Brandon Beachy pitched three no-hit innings in his second start since having shoulder surgery in September and B.J. Upton doubled among his two hits for the Atlanta braves, who tied the Philadelphia Phillies 2-2 Wednesday.

Beachy’s outing was a significant improvement over his first outing, when he gave up five hits and two runs in 1 2-3 innings against Houston.

Upton is trying to rebound from a horrid first season in Atlanta. He hit .184 in 126 games after signing for five years and $75 million.

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Kevin Frandsen drove in Bobby Abreu in the fourth inning for the Phillies’ first run. Frandsen was 2 for 3.

Sean O’Sullivan pitched three shutout innings despite giving up three hits and a walk.

STARTING TIME

Braves: Beachy said that his arm feels fine, a change from most of the last two seasons. Beachy had Tommy John surgery in June 2012 and a minor shoulder operation in September 2013.

”I felt better. More comfortable out there. Turned it up a little more,” Beachy said. ”I don’t know what the radar gun said or anything like that, but I felt like I had my legs under me a little bit better in the third inning.”

Beachy only started five games last year, and had a 4.50 ERA.

Phillies: O’Sullivan signed a minor league contract in the offseason. He is a longshot to make the opening-day roster. He is more likely to begin the season in Triple-A, where he will provide valuable pitching depth for a staff that’s been injury prone over the last few year.

Phillies: Darin Ruf was hit in the head by a throw while sliding into third base in the fourth inning. Ruf, however, popped up after a minute or so and stayed in the game.

”He’s all right, got him half-and-half on the helmet and the head,” Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said.

Third baseman Cody Asche will start Thursday’s split-squad game against the Tigers in Lakeland, Fla. Asche has missed the last three games after getting hit by a pitch on his right hand.

FREGOSI HONORED

Former Phillies manager and Braves special assistant Jim Fregosi, who died Feb. 14, was honored in a ceremony with family members and former teammates before the game.

Ten former teammates, players or fellow coaches each wore a jersey representing each stop of Fregosi’s career. The Phillies have also honored Fregosi this spring by draping a black tablecloth on the table in the cafeteria where Fregosi normally held court for many spring trainings.